In a show of military strength, Chonma-216 tanks (also known as Pegasus-216 or 天馬-216) took part in a tactical exercise at the 60th training field of the Capital Defense Corps of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), under the watchful eye of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
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The event, held yesterday, featured maneuvers by special operations units, combat simulations between army detachments, and live-fire drills using simulated ammunition.
During his visit, Kim also inspected air defense drills conducted by the KPA Air Force’s 1st Air Division, stressing the urgent need for “all units across the entire army” to advance preparations for a possible war.
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The Chonma-216 tank is the result of a unique approach within North Korea’s military industry. Although the DPRK received T-72 tanks from the Soviet Union in the 1980s for study purposes, it chose not to copy them directly. Instead, it developed upgraded variants of the T-62, creating a production line that reflects an “alternate reality” compared to traditional Soviet engineering.
The development of the Chonma-216 is inspired by the theories of Soviet engineer Kostenko, who argued that a reduced crew—specifically a three-man team—could hinder technical maintenance in actual combat. He proposed an operational restructuring where the crew would be relieved of logistical duties and focus solely on combat effectiveness.
Air Defense and New Weapons Testing
During the exercises, North Korean forces also trained in detecting, tracking, and destroying cruise missiles and kamikaze drones, and tested a new guided bomb. The simulation aims to enhance readiness against modern aerial threats.
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Source and images: KCNA (Korean Central News Agency). This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
